Reviews the literature of the critical thinking/problem solving approach to learning and discusses how these concepts relate to teaching research skills. Two activities designed to teach critical thinking and research skills in the context of grades 5 and 6 social studies are summarized. (2 references) (MES)

Illustrates how the "Big Six Skills" model of information problem solving (Task Definition, Information Seeking Strategies, Location and Access, Use of Information, Synthesis, and Evaluation) is a perfect match to the influx of technology in student research. Outlines two typical assignments that focus the Big Six perspective on the…

Examines the information problem-solving (Big Six Skills) approach to performance evaluation, which allows library media specialists to focus on student performance and how it benefits from specific activities. Describes the "Big Six Skills Approach": task definition, information seeking, location and access, use of information,…

Discusses the need to teach undergraduate students the critical thinking processes necessary to formulating and researching a topic, rather than the technicalities of online catalogs. The development and design of an online catalog at Dickinson College, which forces students to make informed choices throughout the search process, is described.…

Describes a course aimed at developing library self-reliance in students that was offered through a predominantly Black outreach program at Evergreen State College. Highlights include the classroom environment and course content, which were constructed collaboratively by students and librarians, and guidelines for similar courses. (CLB)

Discusses recommendations on how social studies concepts should be presented to elementary and secondary school students so that broad understandings and problem-solving skills emerge. Intervention strategies that might be useful to library media specialists as they help teachers and students with resource-based units of instruction are described.…

In the past 10 years there has been a revolution in information technologies, a revolution that has forever changed the way librarians and library media specialists view and teach "library skills". The frightening thing is that 5 or 10 years from now, many of today's most exiting and promising innovations will be completely obsolete, and…

This review of the research literature describes and discusses functional/information literacy in the age of computers and the resulting "information explosion," together with means by which students can become competent information users in the future and be enabled to lead productive, meaningful lives. Defined as comprising library…